Reading and the First World War: August 1 - 8, 1914

How Reading faced up to the world's biggest conflict 100 years ago

During the course of the First World War centenary we will give regular reports from some of the remarkable material in the Reading Standard and other local media, looking back 100 years each time.

There are numerous stories and some excellent photos thanks, both to our own archives and to considerable help we have received from local historians.

The Reading Standard, the forerunner to the Reading Post, put news of the impending war on page 4 of its August 1, 1914, edition under the headline: Limiting the war.

Britain was described by the Standard as a mediating power, “standing outside all the treaty engagements by which the other great powers are affected at this particular juncture and Sir Edward Grey is doing and will do his utmost to prevent the spread of the conflagration. As Sir Edward Grey has said, the moment a second power is involved in the conflict we shall have to face the greatest catastrophe that has ever befallen the Continent of Europe.”

Another article warned: “Those who are making the quarrel, the rulers and statesmen of Europe will suffer little whether their armies win or lose, and little do they seem to care that ‘ruin and red war’ mean the decimation of the sturdy young manhood of their country and death, maiming and untold misery, ever follow hard on victory or defeat, and mainly fall upon the homes of the workers.”

But Britain’s involvement was looming and in the paper’s midweekly edition on August 5, the heading of The Shadow of War carried the following subheadings: Reading watching the course of events: Territorials’ Adventure: Impending Rise in the Price of Bread; No Panic.

There had been an unprecedented rush for Sunday’s newspapers and at the Unionist fete at Erleigh Court, the paper reported a “remarkable” demonstration.

The Standard said: “After listening to a speech by the Borough Member the great gathering joined in fervently singing ‘Rule Britannia’ and then gave three ringing cheers for the King.” Alongside, the Standard gave a timeline of events from Saturday, August 1, to Tuesday, August 4.

On the Saturday, Germany declared war with Russia; the Bank of England raised its rate to 10 per cent, but the paper said there was no reason for popular alarm. There was wheat in the country to last four months.

On the Sunday, Germany invaded France while Russia had crossed the German frontier and on the Monday Naval reservists were called up in the UK. A bill was rushed through Parliament to allow the Government to declare a moratorium on payment of bills should it be needed so it could tackle the impending financial crisis.

On Tuesday, August 4, came a more direct statement: “It is officially announced that Great Britain has sent an ultimatum to Germany which expires at midnight, demanding that the neutrality of Belgium should be respected.

“A telegram from Brussels states officially that Germany has declared war on Belgium. The report that a battle has been raging in the North Sea lacks confirmation.

“The British government learns officially that German troops have invaded Belgium.”

Probably the most stark headline in the Standard appeared on August 8. While the front page carried the usual public notices and adverts, page two was carried a banner headline warning: Call to arms in Berkshire.

The report described Reading as ‘alive with khaki’.

The 4th Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment left for Portsmouth amid an immense crowd of cheering wellwishers. Other units including the Berkshire Yeomanry and the Berks Battery Royal Horse Artillery stayed in the town pending further instructions.

The report said Reading’s biscuit factories (most likely Huntley & Palmers and Serpell’s) were fully staffed and making biscuits for members of the services, but commerce in general was seriously interrupted.

It stated: “Shopkeepers, except those who sell provisions, are doing little trade and at some factories and workshops short time is in force.”

However, at the General Post Office in Reading, telegraphists were working flat out while around 50 reservists among the postmen and clerks had joined the war effort and deliveries of letters had to be restricted. Around 20 postmen had to be called back from holiday.

Reading was chosen as a base for a food supply depot.

Major FF Duffus with several retired officers was appointed to supervise the depot at the Great Western Railway goods station.

Meat in Reading went up 2d (old pennies) per lb. Some bakers were charging 2d more per gallon for bread (a measure given to bread from a gallon of wheat or grain) and sugar was scarce.

Food was kept back for those in the forces and some farmers delayed selling animals to hold out for higher prices.

Reading coal merchants Dunlop & Son said Reading merchants hoped to keep prices low. At the corn market there was a marked disinclination to do business.